Month: January 2019

Blender dressings are great, in part, because they’re fast. Everything into one container, puree, and you’re set. This is a dressing I tend to make quite a lot in the fall, and then I just keep on going all the way through winter. It’s an incredibly versatile blend of favorite ingredients like carrots, turmeric, coconut milk, ginger, and sesame. Also, lots of shallots. Which, as we know from last week, I rarely skimp on.

A Versatile Dressing & Ways to Use It

I use this dressing on green salads, grain salads, and as an A+ finishing touch over sautéed, steamed, or simmered vegetables. It works nicely in cold, summery noodle salads, and as a dipping sauce for crudité. This is all to say, it’s great on many things. I’ll list of some specific ways I’ve used it recently below!

Shredded Winter Salad: Add some winter citrus segments, to a bowl of shredded baby romaine, endives and radicchio, and toss with the ginger carrot dressing and lots of toasted sesame seeds.

A number of you were curious about a winter miso chowder I posted a photo of to my instagram feed recently. I’m going to write it up next. Making it again tonight, and fine-tuning the ingredient amounts. It’s definitely a hearty, winter warmer.

Combine the filling ingredients (pork through orzo) in a large mixing bowl.
To assemble the cabbage rolls:
Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Oil a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Place the cabbage leaves on a kitchen towel. Cut about 1-inch of the hard core on the stem off.

Use about 1/3 cup of filling for large leaves and about 1/4 cup for smaller leaves.
Place the filling on the base of each leaf, fold in the sides and roll the leaf up to make a tight packet.

As you complete them, place each roll, seam side down, into the prepared baking dish. Continue until all the filling is used up.

Pour 2 cups of marinara sauce on top of the rolls and spread the sauce to cover all the cabbage rolls. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake the cabbage rolls for 1 ½ hours or until the rolls are tender.

Directions
Heat the oil in a Dutch Oven or large saucepan. Add the onion and seasonings. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion is softened. Add the garlic and tomato paste. Stir and cook one minute. Fill the tomato paste can with water and pour into the sauce ingredients. Add the tomatoes. Stir. Bring to a soft boil, lower the heat, partially cover the pan and let the sauce simmer until thickened, about an hour.

Place the squash cut-side-down into an oiled 9×13 inch baking and bake 45 minutes until it is easily pierced with a knife. Don’t overcook the squash. It should be tender but the strands should still have some chew to them so they have the same texture as spaghetti.
When the squash is done, turn the halves so that the cut-side is facing up and allow to cool for about 5 minutes.

Run a fork through the flesh to separate the “spaghetti-like” strands. Turn into a serving bowl and toss the strands with olive oil, salt, pepper, sage, and Parmesan cheese.

I’ve been making a lot of stir-fries lately. There’s a lot of reasons for this. For starters, a stir-fry is an awesome way to sneak fresh veggies into a meal in the colder months. This Chickpea Stir Fry features canned chickpeas (always available) and hearty kale which is generally easy to find year round. I […]

The post Chickpea Stir Fry with Homemade Chapati appeared first on Macheesmo.

A family of deep-fried snacks reflects the island nation’s rich history of immigrant diversity, as well as its tumultuous past and complicated present. “These need to be eaten quickly,” says N. Jazy, a shop owner in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, as she packs hot ulundu vadais into a paper bag. Vadais are deep-fried snacks made from […]

The post The Long History of Sri Lanka’s Short Eats appeared first on TASTE.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…parfreddo? Your dinner-party guests will love you. Parfait and semifreddo are the French and Italian names for a frozen dessert that you can think of like a cross between ice cream and frozen mousse. While less popular than ice cream (America’s favorite dessert, no shocker), they do have […]

The post How Do I Make a Really Good Frozen Dessert Without an Ice Cream Machine? appeared first on TASTE.

Turkey Chili is the ultimate comfort food. This Hearty chili is easy to make with the healthy additions of ground turkey and fresh veggies (like onions and peppers).

Serve this easy chili recipe with some homemade cornbread and all of your favorite toppings for the ultimate comfort meal!

Easy Turkey Chili

Turkey is one of my favorite proteins to cook with. We love making roast turkey breast and of course substituting turkey in our favorite Pasta Sauce recipe! It makes a great addition to chili loaded with veggies and beans!

Ground turkey chili is one of those comfort foods that we make often (of course along with 30 Minute Dinner Rolls or crusty bread). It’s hearty and delicious, it freezes well and its perfect served on game day alongside loaded nachos.

How To Make Turkey Chili

Turkey chili is a simple one pot meal and made very much like a traditional beef chili recipe. It only takes a few steps and needs just one pot:

In a large pot, brown the turkey with onions, garlic, and chili powder.

Add the remaining ingredients to the pot.

Simmer for 35-45 minutes until thickened.

Super easy peasy! The addition of red peppers adds a sweetness to this chili. If you prefer a less sweet chili, swap out the red pepper for green. You can also add other veggies to this recipe like mushrooms or zucchini.

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

This easy turkey chili recipe can easily be adapted to and be cooked in the slow cooker. That way, you can come home to a delicious bowl of hearty chili that’s ready when you are. (I use a 6QT Crock Pot for this recipe).

To make Crock Pot Turkey Chili:

Brown the turkey, onion, chili powder, and garlic.

Add all ingredients to a slow cooker

Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours

How To Thicken Chili

If your chili is a little too thin for your liking, just cook it a little longer (uncovered) to reduce the liquid a little more.

If you’re a little pressed for time, not to worry! Create a slurry by mixing a tablespoon of water with a tablespoon of cornstarch. Add this to the turkey chili a little bit at a time to help thicken it.

What Goes With Turkey Chili

Chili is a complete meal in itself, so it doesn’t really need anything. I do however love serving it alongside some cornbread or easy dinner rolls. A nice side caesar salad is always great alongside turkey chili too!

We add our favorite toppings like sour cream, cheese, green onions or jalapenos. Top it with whatever you’d like!

Can You Freeze Chili

Chili freezes well, making it the perfect make ahead dish. I like to freeze it in individual servings so I can defrost individual portions.

To reheat turkey chili, just heat it up in a saucepan on low. In a pinch, the microwave will also do the trick. Just make sure you stir it every 60 seconds so it reheats evenly.

How Long is Chili Good For

Chili will last 3-5 days in your refrigerator if stored in an airtight container. Chili should last up several months in the freezer.

In case you missed the last 48 hours here on WGC – we are DEEP into game day eats. And today is no exception. We’re making Jalapeño Popper Dip which is one of Thomas’ favorite recipes of all times. And maybe I’m biased…

In case you missed the last 48 hours here on WGC – we are DEEP into game day eats. And today is no exception. We’re making Jalapeño Popper Dip which is one of Thomas’ favorite recipes of all times. And maybe I’m biased…

The very best party size Italian Melt. Crusty ciabatta bread, sandwiched with homemade Italian vinaigrette, spicy salami, salty prosciutto, fresh baby arugula, roasted peppers, provolone AND mozzarella. All baked until toasted and melty. Yes, this is every bit as DELICIOUS as it sounds. It’s also the easiest way to serve up a melty sandwich to […]

The post Party Size Italian Melt. appeared first on Half Baked Harvest.

While February is a very short month, it’s also a very cool month. Lots of things going on in this month. There is game day (which I barely partake in), Black History Month and of course, Valentine’s Day. When I was in New York, I did root for The Rams because I felt like they needed the support. I will be rooting for them on Super Bowl Sunday, too. And while, I think the NFL is V problematic, I understand people’s need for joy in the name of football. Anyway, here we are in February. These are some things I’d like to recommend for your cooking consideration: 1. Red Velvet Heart Surprise Cupcakes – These cupcakes felt like a victory. After a handful of failures, having these turn out felt like we finished the marathon. But we didn’t. We just ended up with good tasting cupcakes. 2. Warm Caramelized Fennel + Leek Dip – This dip is one of my favorite things EVER. It’s an oldie (sorta) but still incredibly solid. If you’ve never really liked fennel, trust me cheese makes it way better. You will be a changed human. 3. Instant Pot Pozole Verde con Pollo – This recipe […]

These are my kids favorite brownies! It’s such a simple brownie recipe guaranteed to be a hit!

So this homemade brownie recipe is a family classic…One of those things that my mom made for me growing up. And when she passed away a few years ago I never really thought about them again, honestly. I mean, I do have an amazing brownie recipe of my own.

Anyhow, I was on Pinterest a while back and saw a photo of a brownie that looked like the brownies I remembered eating as a kid…a crusty frosted brownie that was dense and chewy!

Wheat, meat, and time: Halim matches your favorite oatmeal toppings with a savory lamb base. So many of the tenets of Iranian cooking fly in the face of what we think we know: Burn the rice (the crispy glory of tahdig); braise the herbs normally used as a garnish (the sour-meatiness of the stew ghormeh […]

Nicole Rucker is a star baker and the co-owner of Los Angeles restaurant Fiona. She’s also competed in national pie-making competitions and will publish her first cookbook about fruit pastry in the fall. And she’s simply a pleasure to speak with: She’s honest, she’s articulate, and she’s got some amazingly honest thoughts about running a […]

Here’s an EASY chili recipe to add to your list! It’s made with black beans and ground turkey, and only takes 15 minutes to throw together. Make it to warm you up on a chilly winter day or for your next Super Bowl party!

Pasta Primavera: This pasta primavera is the best! It is so easy to make and is loaded with fresh vegetables in a parmesan sauce.

Cheese tortellini is used in place of traditional primavera pasta choices as they’re the perfect accompaniment with a rainbow of veggies.

This pasta primavera recipe is an easy one pot dish, as the pasta is cooked in the same skillet you cook the rest of the meal in. I love skillet dishes, like this skillet teriyaki chicken. Just like orange chicken, this pasta primavera is quick, simple, and absolutely delicious.

We are obsessed with tortellini over here. This Greek Tortellini Salad is like this Greek Cucumber Salad, but with delicious tortellini. I think tortellini makes everything better, which is why I love adding it to pasta primavera.

Cheese pillows are how I describe tortellini to my kiddos. They get so excited about this creamy pasta primavera bulked up with warm vegetables and parmesan cheese. The taste delights them, the beautiful veggies delight me, and remind me of Spring.

But don’t worry, it is hearty and filling enough for the cold winter, but light and fresh enough for the heat of summer. This dish is so yummy you won’t want to wait until the equinoccio de primavera as they say in Italian. You ‘ll eat this all year round.

What Does Pasta Primavera Mean?

Let’s get a little 🎵linguistical, linguistical 🎵. In Italian, “primavera” means spring. Literally it means the first “prima” green “vera.” Throw a little pasta in the mix and you’ve got the first greens and pasta. A spring like pasta.

What is Pasta Primavera Sauce?

Every cook has their opinion about what should go into a pasta primavera sauce. Some are purists and like to keep things to only spring veggies like broccoli and peas, others don’t mind adding in tomatoes or zucchini. Some think it should be angel hair pasta used, some say it’s not that important.

What it boils down to is there’s a load of veggies, a cream and butter based sauce with your favorite hard cheese–parmesan– and spices. As long as it’s a delicious and it’s a good primavera pasta recipe.

What Vegetables are in Pasta Primavera?

Commonly you’ll find broccoli, bell peppers, summer squash, peas and carrots. But the list doesn’t stop there. Add in any other veggie that you enjoy and make it your own!

I love my pasta primavera to be vegetarian, but one of the wonderful things about this recipe is you can easily add whatever protein you want.

Adding a little protein to this primavera pasta balances it out nicely. We enjoy pasta primavera with chicken or shrimp. To make pasta primavera with shrimp, just add the shrimp to the skillet right from frozen! It cooks quickly.

This pasta is excellent served with cheesy garlic breadsticks and a Classic Wedge Salad or Easy Kale Salad.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta

Baked Rigatoni Pasta – hearty and delicious!

Creamy Pesto Pasta – Oh so creamy 🙂

Sun Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken – zesty and filling

Caesar Chicken Pasta

Pasta Primavera

Delicious pasta primavera filled with spring vegetables and a parmesan cream sauce. Made in a single skillet!

16 ounces cheese tortellini (cooked)

3 Tbsp butter

1 tsp garlic (minced)

1 cup zucchini (sliced)

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup broccoli florets

1/2 cup asparagus (trimmed)

1/2 cup red pepper (diced)

1/2 cup carrots (diced)

1 cup chicken stock

1 cup heavy cream

1 Tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 cup petite peas

1/2 cup snow peas

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Cook pre-made cheese tortellini according to package directions and set aside.

In a large skillet add butter, and melt over medium heat. Add garlic and saute for a minute.

This Tomato Beef Pasta recipe is a super easy, family favorite dinner recipe… and it has a secret ingredient that you might not expect! Watch the video showing you how to make this recipe, then scroll to the bottom of this post and print out the recipe so you can make it at home.

I first made this recipe for my family back in 2007. My son was just six years old (time flies as he’s 17 now!) I was a teacher back then, and I was always looking for things to make for dinner that didn’t take a lot of time or ingredients. Since pasta is frequently requested as a dinner choice in my house, it’s nice to have some new ideas. This Tomato Beef Pasta was a big hit with my guys, and I found that it was indeed very easy to make. It’s been a repeat recipe in my house for 12 years now!

What’s the secret ingredient in this Tomato Beef Pasta?

The secret ingredient in this pasta recipe is… tomato juice! Yep, not tomato sauce but tomato juice— the kind found in your market’s juice aisle. There are a couple of other ingredients in this recipe that might have you questioning things too. Ketchup and brown sugar add some sweetness to the recipe. And chili powder is added in for a splash of interesting flavor as well. Trust me on all of this, and try it!

Favorite Pasta Brands:

You can choose your favorite pasta for this recipe. I recommend going with rotini, penne or elbow pasta. All of those are just the right size for soaking up the tomato sauce and cooking evenly and quickly. While I do like classic pasta, I also enjoy using whole wheat pasta (it usually takes a little longer to cook). Barilla and Delallo brands make good whole wheat pasta. I haven’t yet tried this recipe with gluten-free pasta.

How to Make Tomato Beef Pasta:

The good news all around is that this recipe is made in just one pot! You’ll brown the ground beef first. Then add onion and bell pepper to saute with the beef. Chili powder, brown sugar, and salt/pepper are sprinkled in next. Then the ketchup and tomato juice are mixed in. One whole pound of pasta is added to the pot, and then you’ll bring it to a boil and simmer for about 20 minutes until the pasta is al dente.

Sometimes I find that I need to add a little water to the pot if it appears to be getting too thick– or if the liquid has simmered down. Just keep an eye on it and add 1/2 cup of water at a time until the pasta has the doneness that you prefer. 1 cup of added water should be just about right.

This Tomato Beef Pasta recipe is a cozy recipe to make during the winter months. I’ve heard about the arctic blast hitting the midwest and east coast, and it sounds like a hot pasta dish is the ticket to filling bellies and helping everyone to feel toasty warm!

If you’re looking for more recipes to use up tomato juice, you might like to try my Easy Gazpacho Recipe. Or you can make a Sangrita Cocktail! Chicken Tortilla Soup is a delicious option for dinner too. And you might find this post useful if you don’t have any tomato juice on hand: How to Make Tomato Juice from Tomato Paste.

Tomato Beef Pasta

This pasta recipe is so easy to make, and it’s a family favorite for dinner!

16 ounces lean ground beef

1 medium onion, (chopped)

1 medium green bell pepper, (chopped)

2 teaspoons chili powder

2 teaspoons brown sugar

salt and pepper, (to taste)

3 tablespoons ketchup

46 ounces tomato juice

16 ounces pasta ((rotini, penne or elbow))

parmesan cheese, (for serving)

In a large pot over medium heat, brown the beef; spoon off the fat and discard. Add the onion and bell pepper and sauté for a few minutes, until the vegetables get tender. Sprinkle on the chili powder, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Add the ketchup and tomato juice and stir. Pour in the pasta (dry) and stir to coat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until al dente (about 20 minutes). Stir occasionally to make sure that the juice is cooking the noodles evenly. Add water a half cup at a time if more liquid is needed (I usually use about 1 cup water).

Whole Wheat Dutch Baby with Meyer Lemon Whipped Ricotta. Extra light and airy, this Dutch baby is essentially a giant pancake baked in a skillet. It’s hinted throughout with vanilla and sweet lemon, and topped with a delicious fresh Meyer lemon whipped ricotta. Each and every bite is full of bright citrusy lemon flavor, made just […]